Four weeks to go!

The buildings of Inner Farne

Sunset Farnes style

Friday 17th February comments: The count-down has started as in four weeks time the rangers will meet back up in Seahouses having been far and wide during the winter months. Following the usual week of training in Seahouses, we'll be packing everything (including the kitchen sink) and heading over to the islands, which will be home for the next nine months. On 1st April we'll then open our doors to the visitors and then the real hard work can begin...bring it on.

It's still early days at the moment as we haven't recorded our first Puffin this season, but Guillemots continue to increase in number with boatmen reporting several thousand on the cliffs last week. Good numbers of Shags are already present whilst Fulmars remain settled. The season is just about to start...

Gordon Allison R.I.P

News is just breaking that Gordon Allison, a Farnes 'old boy' died in his sleep on Monday 6th February. Only 50 years of age, this is a tragic loss for his family, work mates, birding colleagues, and friends in the wider world.

John Walton writes:

It was in 1990 that I had the pleasure of working with Gordon on the Farne Islands. With his shock of unruly, curly hair, his colourful bandannas, and his unbounded enthusiasm he was a character to remember. Way back then it was obvious he would forge a career in conservation - his passion, his drive, and his sheer dam' zest for life would see to that. Like most wardens there were a series of contracts before he settled at the place he loved. He became a much-respected Warden for the RSPB reserves at Elmley and Northward Hills in Kent. He posted a blog on the Saturday before his death which gave an indication of just how much he was enjoying his life - and his birding.

David and I were only talking to him last summer about his hopes for a 21st anniversary team re-union on the islands in October - no coincidence that this is our peak migration period! That fell through, but plans were well advanced for October 2012. That Gordon won't be here is our loss. He was, as they say up north, a 'canny lad' and will always be fondly remembered.

Stunning visit

The approach to the Farnes...Inner Farne lighthouse

View from Inner Farne looking towards outer group

Bare cliffs with a few Shags scattered across them

Quiet - Inner Farne mid-winter

Tuesday 7th February comments: What a day. I decided to take full advantage of the glorious (and unseasonable weather) as I made another out-of-season visit to the Farne Islands. It was almost disbelieving, as the North Sea was flat, the sun was shining and everything was perfect. I just had to remind myself that it is still only 7th February and not the 7th June. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

All appeared in good shape and Fulmars were scattered across the islands on their favoured ledges. Small numbers of Shags were on the cliff tops whilst the nearby sea held small numbers of Guillemots. It's still some time before we'll have huge numbers of seabirds, but it's a start. Even the Eider ducks were busy displaying - I was almost expecting a peck from an Arctic Tern.

The islands at this time of year remain quiet although a few Blackbirds, Robins and the odd Song Thrush and Woodcock indicated that spring passage has started. It won't be long before we are back for the summer and then the real work will begin. Bring it on.

What will the season bring?

Population decline - a better year needed for Cormorants

Puffins: Next year will bring a full population census - but how many?

Guillemots: Will they eventually topple the 50,000 mark?

Heading out - only 500 pairs of Sandwich Terns nested last year

Arctic Terns need another good year

Sunday 5th February comments: It's still early days but I've been wondering what the new season will bring. Just like any Farnes season, we'll have the good, the bad and the ugly. We'll have successes to shout about, but we'll also have the bad - those birds setting the alarm bells ringing. Last season both the breeding populations of Cormorant and Sandwich Terns continued their recent declines and if this year brings one thing, it could do with a reverse of fortunes for both of these species.

On a positive, we could do with some 'business as normal' for the auks (Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins) which have been doing well of recent whilst Arctic Terns, Shags and Kittiwakes could do with just a little tweaking.

Finally, we could do with some good weather during the summer months, so the birds can have a great breeding season, the rangers can have an enjoyable summer and just as important, that the public can come and share the lot with us. If you've never been before, its about time you did, so what are you waiting for, come and visit the Farnes and say hello.

Opening times:

April: Inner Farne open all day (daily)

1st May - 31st July: Staple Island opens 10:30-13:30 then Inner Farne from 13:30-17:00

1st August-31st October: Inner Farne open all day

They're coming...

'Bridled' and 'non-bridled' Guillemots together

Sunday 29th January comments: The first signs of spring has reached the islands as the up to 100 Guillemots have been seen around the Farnes this weekend. Although not many compared to our thriving population of 50,000, it's still a great indication that the seasons are changing. The mild weather continues and birds are returning to Farne waters and it won't be long before we have them back on the cliff tops. And then the Puffins will follow...

All quiet on the western front

It's all quiet on Inner Farne

Thursday 26th January comments: All is quiet on the islands with very little happening. Good numbers of Fulmar are on the cliff ledges whilst the resident Shags remain scattered across the rocky outcrops. We're still six weeks away from the first returning Puffins and the Terns...well they'll still be sunning themselves in the southern hemisphere.

Behind the scenes it's still all go, as preparation work continues. Projects to improve the toilets and staff accommodation are keeping me busy whilst reports are being complete and various items purchased. The month of February will fly-by and we'll soon be embarking on another Farnes season and I can't wait.

The Giant Awakes

Coming soon...

Inner Farne from the nearby West Wideopens


Brownsman cottage

Monday 23rd January comments: It's slowly and surely awakening. The sleeping giant is stirring and it won't be long before its alive and well. It's mid-January and the islands remain dormant, with very little life and very little to report. However behind the scenes its all go, as the preparation for another Farnes season is being planned, discussed and implemented and its nearly time to go.

One change that has occurred is a name change! In the 1950's-60's, we were known as 'watchers' and from the early 1970's we became wardens. It's now time for a refresh and this year we'll be known as 'Farne Island rangers'. Regardless of the name change, we'll still be working hard for the seabirds and greeting thousands of welcome visitors this year and I hope you can make it, come and say hello.

So the Puffins will be thinking about it, the Terns will be winging it and the rangers will be dreaming of it. Its welcome back to planet Farnes. I hope you can join me on the journey. Stay tuned.